Method and means for producing ply yarn



Nov. 17, 1936. w. F. BIRD METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING PLYYARN Filed May 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W1 T NEssEs:

A TTORNE YS.

. Nov. 17, 1936. w. F. BIRD METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING PLY YARN 2 SheetSA-Sheei 2 Filed May 18, 1955 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 17, 1936 PATENT OFFICE:`

METHOD AND MEANS FOR PRODUCING PLY YARN Whitworth F. Bird, Springfield, Pa., assig'nor to Collins & Aikman Corporation, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Applicata@ May 18, 1935, serial No. 22,138 claims. (ci. 11s- 38) The chief aim of my invention is to make possible the production of ply yarns wherein the in- 'dividual component ends are of a relatively low twist and smooth without entanglement of projecting fibers of one with those of another, and wherein said ends are combined or doubled with a relatively low twist in the same direction as that of the individual ends. Yarn so constructed is especially desirable and advantageous in the production of cut pile fabrics, since, through absence of entanglement between the fibers of the component ends, the formation of fabric imperfections such as pock mar and nigger heads are effectively precluded, and since by virtue of the unidirectionallow twist in the component ends and inthe doubling, the pile opens up readily and freely in the finishing with resultant production of a soft uniformly smooth face.

These desiderata I attain, as hereinafter more fully disclosed, through provision of a simple method as well as a simple apparatusA suitable for the practice of such method, whereby two or more rovings of loosely compacted fibers are concurrently spun both with unidirectional twist incident to convergent travel with maintenance in denite separation and running contact with l smoothing surfaces, to a twist point afforded by out the spinning and doubling in one operation a divider element, so that the fibers of the individual ends are held in check and prevented from entanglement and said ends while so controlled combine the said twist point under the pull induced'by a rotating collecting unit. By carrying as just explained, I am able to produce highly satisfactory'and amply strong ply yarn for cut pile fabrics in which the twist'of the individual ends may be very low. U. S- Patent No. 1,802,671 dated April 28, 1931 is directed to smoothing of the plies on a. twisting or doubling machine.

In a method of ply yarn'production for pile fabric use wherein the individual component endsv are separately spun in one operation and then doubled in another operation, the singles lmustbe given a twist of at least fourteen turns per inch for capacity towithstand the ytensional strains induced in the subsequent doubling operation. Accordingly in such yarns, the `component ends tend to retain their individuality in the pile; and on. account of the relatively hard twist, the pile does not readily open and form the uniform-f ly smooth surface characteristic of cut pile had ratus and hereinafter fully described.

with yarn made in accordance withmy invention.

I am aware that twist plyy yarns 4have been,

heretofore produced by rst individually twisting the component ends as above, and then in the doubling resorting to reverse twisting with attendant reduction, to a certain extent, of the individual twist of the singles. In yarns made under this principle, the fibers of the singles, due to the initial relatively hard twisting of the latter, take on a permanent set and do not therefore open readily in the nishing of the fabrics to form the cut pile tufts.

I am also aware that twisting and doubling in one operation is not strictly new, but under pre-existent methods, the yarns were produced without definite control of the component ends up to the point of twisting, with the result that the projecting fibers of one would become entangled with those of another, to which cause the formation of the hereinbefore mentioned pook mar and nigger heads in the pile fabrics was directly traceable. y

In connection with improved spinning and doubling apparatus having the aforementioned attributes, it is the further aim of my invention to provide for free lateralv movement `or floating of the twist point element so that it can adapt itself positionally in compensating for differences in the draft of the individual rovings and so maintain them under uniform tension inncident to the twisting of the individual ends.

Fig. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a ply yarn producing apparatus or machine embodyingthe present improvements.

Fig. II is a similar perspective view showing, in part, certain of the elements embodied in one of the spinning and twisting sections of the machine.

Flg. III is a longitudinal section through one form of divider element embodied in the appa- Fig. -IV is a top plan view of amodied form of divider element whereby 'four roving strands iii' vider element suitable for the spinning and twisting of three strands.

Referring more particularlyto Fig. I, a machine adapted to the practice of this invention includes spaced end frames whereof one is shown at I, said end frames being rigidly connected by a number of longitudinals including an inclined Creel-board 2 at the top, and vertically-spaced parallel girts 3 and 5 at the front. This frame structure constitutes a support for a multiplicity of duplicate spinning-and-twisting sections, each of which includes a spinning unit 6 which may be of the form featured in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,969,685, dated August 7, 1934, with a conical cap 1 supported at the top of a vertical spindle 8 xed in the girt 4, and a whorl 9 rotatable about said spindle and which carries the bobbin I0, whereon the ply yarn Y is collected. The whorl 9 of the spinning unit 6 is supported on a rise-and-fall rail 4 which is adapted to be actuated by a suitable builder mechanism, not illustrated, said whorl being rotated by a beltconnection I2 from a driving drum I3 journaled at the rear of the machine frame.

A pair of spaced holder pins I4 are provided on the creci-board 2 for each spinning and twisting section of the machine, and serve as supporting axes for spools I5 of prepared textile fiber roving strands R from which individual threads T are spun. As shown, the roving strands R. are drawn from the spools I5 by a set of nip rolls I6, including a fluted bottom roll I'I and a pair of laterally-spaced contacting upper rolls I8, which are individual to said strands. By the rolls I6 the roving strands R are directed to a group of draft-rolls I9 such as are ordinarily used on spinning machines, and, after being attenuated thereby in the known manner, said roving strands pass to a pair of delivery nip-rolls whereof the lower one 2D is circumferentially-corrugated, and the contacting upper one 2| is clothed with a soft yieldable covering 22 of felt or the like. Exv cept as hereinafter noted, the illustrated delivery and draft means is to be considered as typical of other known forms which may be substituted if desired or found more convenient in practice. The upper roll 2|, as shown in Fig. II, has a central dividing flange 23 which engages a correspondingly-located groove 24 in the lower roll 20, whereby a barrier is provided to keep the two roving strands R separated. The draft rolls I9 are differentially rotated, as required, by intermeshing spur gears 25, respectively secured to their shafts, in proper timed relation with the lower feed rolls Il and corresponding delivery rolls 20, by coordinating gear wheels 26, 21 and- 28, 29. The means for driving the various moving parts of the machine may be of any of the many approved types ordinarily employed in conventional spinning and twisting machines.

After leaving the delivery rolls 20, 2|, the roving strands R pass to a divider element in the form of a spear-shaped block 3|] which is fulcrummed on a conical pivot-projection 3| integral with, or attached to, a bracket 32 conveniently secured to the girt 3 of the machine. As shown, the divider block 30 has countersloped sides 33 at an acute angle to each other and meeting in a comparatively-sharp edge 34 that constitutes a twist-point and which is in line with a yarn guide-eye 35 in the girt 3, over the cap spinning unit- 6. The divider-block 30 is preferably made of porcelain with a smooth glazed surface and embodies a laterally extending base flange 36 for a purpose later on explained, while the socket-hole 31 therein does not extend wholly through said block so that the ingress of dust or other impedimenta to the pivot projection 3| is prevented.

As the roving strands R pass along the sloping sides 33 of the divider-block 30 to the edge or twist-point 34, they are individually maintained in denite separation against entanglement of their fibers while being smoothed and spun into the threads T through concurrent linear advance and torsion induced by the gyratory action of the cap spinning unit 6, and, in meeting at the block point 34, they are concurrently-twisted together to form the ply yarn Y which is continually collected on the rotating bobbin l0. It is also to be noted that the basal flange 36 of the block 3|) constitutes a guard to keep the strands R in engagement with the sloping sides 33 of said block. By pivoting the divider-block 30 in the manner described, it is made self-adjusting and is thus automatically maintained always in substantial alignment with the guide-eye 35; while any inequalities developed during formation of the threads T that may tend to mar the twist, are similarly counteracted.

In order to distribute the wear on the delivery y rolls 20, 2 I, there is provided, as shown in Fig. II,

a traversing bar 38 with suitably spaced eyes 39, in pairs of multiples, to guide the threads T, said bar having been omitted in Fig. I to avoid complication in that view, which is suitably reciprocated so that the roving strands R are shifted back and forth in the nip-rolls 20, 2|, the controlflange 23 and the block 3D keeping said strands separated, as hereinbefore explained. By virtue of its capacity for self-positioning, the block 30 can compensate for variations in the draft and tension induced by the lateral traversing of the rovings R and so insure a uniformly smooth and evenly twisted product.

It is to be understood other forms of spinning units, for example of the ring or flier types, may be substituted for the cap unit 6 herein illustrated, without any change in the operation of the apparatus as above set forth. It is also to be understood that the traversing bar 38 may be located otherwise than shown without change in the operation of the machine.

In Fig. IV there is shown a modified form of guide block 40 lwhereby four roving strands R are separately spun and the resulting threads T concurrently twisted .at 4I to form a. ply yarn Y'. In this case two additional strands R are passed along the outer counter-sloped faces 42.

of supplemental block projections 43 on the base 44 and symmetrically disposed relative to the central divider block 40, which is like the dividerblock 30 of the first described form of my invention. It is to be observed that the countersloped faces 42 of the supplemental block projections 43 are convergent with respect to the twist point 4| of the central block -4Il where the twisting of the component four threads T into the yarn Y takes place exactly as hereinbefore described in connection with two ply yarn production. It will, of course,.be understood that the three projections 43 of the divider block. 40 are preferably formed on the common base 44, which has a pivot-socket 45 corresponding with the socket hole 31 of the previously described divider-block 30. By providing additional divider blocks flanking the supplemental block 75l projections 43, the machine can, obviously, be adapted forconcurrently spinning and twisting higher even numbers of roving strands R' into ply yarn Y.

Fig. V illustrates a further modified form of divider-block 46 enabling concurrent spinning and twistingrof three roving strands R" into ply yarn Y", said block having two projections 41 defining a medial slot 48 for guiding the third strand R", while the outer two strands R" follow the counter-sloping faces 49 of said block. so

that the twisting of the threads T" into the yarn Y" is effected, as before explained, at the point 50. By providing the divider-block 46 with two or more supplemental projections, the machine may, obviously, be adapted to spinning and twisting higher uneven multiples or roving strands R" into the ply yarn Y". 5I designates the pivot socket for this form of the invention.

From the foregoing it is evident that my invention affords an improved method and means whereby ply yarns may be more economically and expeditiously produced with pre-assurance of more uniform spinning of the strands and more positive equalization of the twist than heretoore.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: v1. In a machine for producing ply yarn 4the combination of plural nip rolls for delivering multiples of strands, a pivoted divider-block guiding the individual 4strands to a common twist point,

l and a suitable unit aligned with said point to eflfe'ct twisting of the strands into ply yarn at such point.

2. In a machine for producing ply yarn the combination of plural nip rolls for delivering multiples of strands, a pivoted divider-block guiding the individual strands to a common twist point, a suitable unit aligned with the twist point to eiect twisting of the strands into ply yarn incident to convergence toward such twist point, and means for continuously shifting the strands backand-forth in the nip of the delivery rolls to dis` t tribute the Wear on the latter.

to distribute the wear on the latter, and means Y 3. In a machine for producing ply yarn the combination of a pair of nip rolls for delivering multiples of strands, a pivotally-mounted dividerblock guiding the individual strands to a common twist point, a suitable unit aligned with the twist point to causeindividual spinning of thel strands into threads incident to convergence toward the twist point and to concurrently eiect twisting of the threads into ply yarns at such point, and means for continuously shifting the strands back-and-forth in the nip of the delivery rolls to distribute the wear on the latter.

4. In a machine for producing lply yarn the combination of a pair of nip rolls for delivering multiples of strands, a pivotally-mounted divider-- block guiding the individual strands to a common twist point, a suitable unit alignedwith vthe twist point'to cause individual spinning of the strands into threads incident to convergence toward the twist point and to concurrently effect twisting of the threads into ply yarns at such point, means for continuously shifting the strands back-and-orth in the nip of the delivery rolls for maintaining said strands in definite separation laterally incident to passage through the nip of the delivery rolls.

5. In a machine for producing ply yarn the combination of a pair of nipl rolls for delivering multiples of strands in denite lateral separation, a pivotally-mounted divider-block having faces able..

nite separation laterally, a pivotally-mounted divider-block embodying sloped facesconverging to a common twist point, a revolving spinning unit axially aligned .with the twist point to cause individual spinning of the strands into threads incident to convergence toward the twist point and to concurrently effect twisting of such threads into ply yarn at said point, and means for continuously shifting the strands 'back-and-forth in the nip of the delivery rolls to distribute the Wear on the latter.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein the divider-block is provided with a medial groove faces, whereby said block is adapted for guiding and spinning uneven multiples of strands.

8. As an article of manufacture a divider-block for ply yarn producing machines comprising a base with a projection thereon, said projection having inclined faces converging to a common twist point, and said block having an orifice therein whereby it can be pivotally-mounted.

9. As an article of manufacture a divider-block for ply yarn producing machines comprising a base with multiple projections thereon, each said projection having-sloping faces upwardly-directed relative to the base and merging to a common twist point, and a socket-hole in said block whereby it ispivotally-mountable.

10. As an article of manufacture a dividerblock for ply yarn producing machines comprising a base embodying plural projections thereon vseparated by an intervening longitudinal slot,

each said projection having inclined faces converging to'a common twist point, and a sockethole in said block whereby it is pivotally-mount- 11. In a ,machine' for producing ply yarns, means for delivering a plurality of threads, a unit for spinning the threads into yarn, and an interposed element affording a twist point and means for maintaining the threads in definite separation incident to convergence toward the twist point, said element being mounted' for free movement/to automatically align the twist point with respect to the spinning unit.

12. In a machine for producing ply yarns, means for delivering a pluralityof threads, a unit for spinning the threads into yarn, and an interposed element affording a twist point and means for maintaining the threadsV in definite separation incident to convergence toward the twist point, said,e1ement being pivotally mounted to permit self-centering of the twist point with respect to the rotary axis of the spinning unit.

13. The method of producing ply yarn which comprises advancing a plurality of roving strands of loosely compacted fibers; inducing twist into :a portion of each strand to form a spun thread by concurrently rotating and linearly advancing 4the roving and thread portions while maintaining the thread portions in dente separation and in .running contact with smoothing surfaces to control and denitely lay the fibers incident to .longitudinally between the convergently-sloping K convergence; and twisting the spun ends into ply yarn as they move forwardly out of running contact with the smoothing surfaces.

14. The continuous method of producing ply yarn which comprises drawing multiple roving strands of loosely compacted bers; spinning the drawn strands into threads while concurrently and linearly advancing the rovings and threads, and While maintaining the threads in denite separation and in running contact with smoothing surfaces incident to convergence to control and definitely lay the fibers; and twisting the spun ends into ply yarn as they move forwardly out of running Contact with the smoothing sul"- faces, whereby the twist in the singles is in the samedirection as in the ply.

15. The continuous-method of producing ply yarns which comprises drawing laterally` transversing roving strands of loosely compacted bers; spinning the drawn strands into threads while concurrently and linearly` advancing the rovings and threads, and while maintaining the threads in definite separation and in running contact with smoothing surfaces incident to convergence to control and definitely lay the fibers; and twisting thespun ends into a ply yarn as they move forwardly out of running contact with the smoothing surfaces, whereby the twist in the singles is in the same direction as in the ply.

16. In a spinning and doubling machine for producing ply. yarn, the combination of'feedingme is for-multiple roving strands of loosely compf ted fibers; drafting means for -attenuating roving strands; divider means for maintaining the several strands in definite separation incident to spinning and aording mutually convergent smoothing surfaces for said strands; and means for inducing rotation and concurrent linear vadvanceof the strands while twisting the spun threads into ply yarn at said twist point, said divider means beingpositioned intermediate the drafting means and the means for inl ducing rotation and concurrent linear advance of the strands.

17. In a spinning and doubling machine for producing ply yarn, the combination of feeding means for multiple roving strands of loosely compacted bers; drafting means for attenuating roving strands; means for maintaining the several strands` in definite sepa-ration during' spinning and affording mutually convergent smoothing surfaces for said strands; and analigned spinning unit for inducing rotation and twisting the spun threads into ply yarn at said twist point, said divider means being positionedintermediate the drafting means and the spinning unit. f

18. In a. spinning .and twisting machine for producing ply yarn, the combination of means for feeding and laterally traversing multiple roving strands of loosely compacted fibers; divider means for maintaining the several' strands in definite separation during spinning and affordingmutually convergent smoothing surfaces for said strands; means for supporting the divider means with capacity for self-adjustment to compensa-te for lateral traverse of the strands; and means for inducing rotation and linear movement of the strands while twisting the spun threads into ply yarn at said twist point.

19. In a. spinning and twisting machine for producing ply yarn, the combination of feeding means for multiple strands of loosely compacted fiibers; divider means for maintaining the several roving strands indefinite separation during spinning and affording mutually convergent smoothing surfaces for said strands; means for i producing ply yarn, the combination of feed4 and draft means for multiple roving strands of loosely compacted fibers; divider means for maintaining the several drawn roving strands in defi- Anite separation during spinning and affording mutually convergent smoothing surfaces for said strands; and means for inducing rotation and linear movement of the strands while twisting the spun threads into ply yarn at said twist point, said divider means being positioned intermediate. the feed and draft means and the means for inducing rotation and concurrent linear advance of the strands.

WHITWORTH F. BIRD. 

